Multi-Scale Conceptual Model for GIS Geographical Features
Jie Jian · Journal of China University of Mining and Technology · 2003
The multi-scale representations (multi-representations) for geographical entities is one of research focuses in the field of multi-scale spatial database. For GIS users it can provide the spatial analysis and visualization of geographical entities and geo-processes across different details of level, ranging from whole to parts and to concrete. , The multi-scale conceptual data model serves as a base and also one of necessaries. The hierarchical characteristics in multi-representations for geographical features were explored, namely multi-geometries hierarchy, multi-entities hierarchy and multi-attributes hierarchy. To compare this model with the traditional GIS model, the essential requirements and modeling strategies for building multi-scale conceptual data model were studied. Further, a detailed description of multi-representation elements in the model was provided, which includes data type and attribute-value domains for geographical features at different scales, as well as the hierarchical semantic, inter-connection, and scale relations among those, In order to verify the proposed model mechanism, and appropriate case with multi-scale extended E-R model for city map features was proposed.